Blade Runner: The Final Cut [Blu-ray] [1982]

Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Daryl Hannah, M. Emmet WalshDirector: Ridley ScottTo call this cut of Blade Runner ‘long awaited’ would be a heavy, heavy understatement. It’s taken 25 years since the first release of one of the science-fiction genre’s flagship films to get this far, and understandably, Blade Runner: The Final Cut has proved to be one of the most eagerly awaited DVD releases of all time. And it’s been well worth the wait. Director Ridley Scott’s decision to head back to the edit suite and cut together one last version of his flat-out classic film has been heavily rewarded, with a genuinely definitive version of an iconic, visually stunning and downright intelligent piece of cinema. Make no mistake: this is by distance the best version of Blade Runner. And it’s never looked better, either. The core of Blade Runner, of course, remains the same, with Harrison Ford’s Deckard (the Blade Runner of the title) on the trail of four ‘replicants’,

Review by Mr. M. A. Reed for Blade Runner: The Final Cut [Blu-ray] [1982]Rating:
At long last, “Blade Runner” gets the definitive treatment it needs. With a release as lavish and enormous as this, there is no possibility of an abusive triple, quadruple, or seventh-re-release : almost everything you could possibly want is here.

“Blade Runner” is one of the greatest science fiction films ever made : a period piece set in an impossible future, a film noir detective thriller that uses the endless possibilities of Science Fiction to explore inner and outer space, a meditation of the nature of humanity, identity, and conscience. It is without doubt the finest film that anyone ever involved with it ever worked on. Given that the people who worked on it were also involved in “Star Wars”, “2001″, “Alien”, and …um… “Blind Fury”… that speaks for itself. I won’t waste words on the film anymore : you either know what it is or you don’t. If you don’t – watch it. If you do – you know what I’m talking about. It’s a classic – and one of the best films ever made.

This DVD re-release features a whopping 5 DVD’s of material. Disc 1 contains the “Final Cut” :Ridley Scott’s intended version that was sabotaged by brainless studio nincompoops and accountants. Here, Ridley has revisited and completed the film so it is now the way it was always meant to be seen. To the average viewer, these changes are often miniscule and barely noticeable : to the enthusiast they are the final brushstrokes to Scott’s masterpiece. It’s still “Blade Runner” though. If you liked it then, you’ll like it now. If you didn’t, you won’t. But this Final Cut (the fifth version of the film released) is a film of such merit it deserves to be hung in a museum as one of the greatest justifications for mankinds continued existence.

The first disc is fleshed with three commentaries : Ridley Scott is, as ever, a fascinating orator. The other commentaries are equally interesting. The second DVD contains “Dangerous Days”, an enormous, standard-setting, 214 minute `making of’ document that covers every element of the films existence in forensic detail. It’s a fascinating journey : packed with interviews with everyone who was even slightly involved in the film (including characters cut from any released version), as well as stuffed to the gills with bonus material : whereas some documentaries will use clips from the film to demonstrate the finished product, this chooses (wisely) to show reams of alternate takes, deleted scenes, and unused footage across its length. This is the definitive `Making Of’ by which all others must be judged. To anyone who has seen the film more than once, it is an absolutely essential piece of work.

DVD 3 contains the three previously released versions of the film. Including the 1982 International Cut (with a fraction more violence), and the 1991 Directors Cut (which in reality was a rushed studio hodge podge with no actual direct input from Ridley Scott). Each prefaced by an introduction from Ridley Scott, and exist largely for the sake of the completists.

DVD 4 meanwhile, wraps up the remaining material. There are 48 minutes of deleted scenes arranged to create a vignette/montage alternate version of the film – it would have been fascinating to see these alternate trims placed in the context of a entire `deleted scenes’ version of the film. The deleted scenes themselves are generally unexceptional (and when viewed it is easy to see why they were not in the finished product) but are essential viewing to see All That Could Have Been. DVD 4 also features two hours of extra documentaries detailing the P K Dick novel, the adaptation process, how the film and novel differ, and a cornucopia of additional material that covers literally everything under the sun from the films influence on cinema, the ethos of poster art, to – in all probability – a documentary about the Kitchen Sinks used in the film.

DVD5 meanwhile, features a remastered copy of the first ever seen version of the film – a rough cut `Workprint’ that previewed to a few hundred in 1982 – and this version is undoubtedly the Holy Grail of the Blade Runner world. Seeing this version, when compared to the original cinema release, is akin to seeing two completely different films in tone and style : the violence is harder, the narration and voiceover absent, the film no longer insults the viewer with Vlad The Explainer condescendingly commenting on the events of the film. This version of the film – clearly a work in progress – is as ever an intelligent, sensitive film that explores the basic questions of humanity. The disc is rounded off with a commentary by author (and renowned Blade Runner authority) Paul Sammon, and a final 30 minute look through the torturous evolution – and multiple versions – of the film to its Final Cut. It’s a final fascinating glimpse into the process.

Given the sheer wealth of material (I estimate at least 26 hours of stuff spread over the five discs – the largest amount yet compiled for any one film that I know of), it seems almost churlish to gripe about what is missing : original plans were to include the Channel 4 documentary “The Edge Of Human”, but the material in that is exhaustively covered elsewhere in this set so it would be almost redundant were it included. Overall, if you have the slightest interest in film or Science Fiction, this is an absolute no brainer Must-Buy and sets the standard as the High Watermark of DVD releases so far in the formats first decade.

Simply put, it’s one of the most comprehensive and thus, definitive DVD packages to ever exist. At last Warners have given this great work of art the attention, care, and investment it deserves. Buy it.

Review by Mr. R. Jordan for Blade Runner: The Final Cut [Blu-ray] [1982]Rating:
This five disc edition is quite simply the best DVD set on any single film I own. Initially, I was going to go for the 2 disc version – the film and the ‘making of’ but went ‘large’ due to the very reasonable price. I mean, did I really want a load of discs with the same film, that I probably wouldn’t watch? No such fears – three versions of the film are on just one of the discs, cleverly ‘branched’ together. Disc one has an amazing print of the film – words fail me . . . ‘definitive’ is right. Two discs have superb ‘makings of’, which truly are interesting, even to people like me who are fatigued by modern ‘makings of’ which largely consist of guys playing with computers (‘Bored of the Rings’). In Blade Runner, we see some great sets, model shots, the lot. The final disc has an early print of the film – a very different take. When you have seen the whole set, you realise that the entire Blade Runner world is within. A bit like Deckard’s photo machine that lets you see around corners, nothing is missed – there’s even an ‘outtake and alternative’ version of the movie, which is astonishing and kind of disorientating. No doubt some day a fan will assemble one long six-hour version from all the footage within. I’m not kidding – there’s that much to browse through.

I’m amazed that most of the reviews here focus on the packaging (and those ‘free’ gifts you look at once) – has nobody actually been blown away by the content?? Don’t hesitate.

Review by P. White for Blade Runner: The Final Cut [Blu-ray] [1982]Rating:
I watched this on my 52″ 1080p set so I could see the detail and I was continually laughing with delight. It looks stunning now. The production team have completely restored the print and the FX shots such as the opening sequence and the Spinner flight over the Tyrell Corporation building are pure and show a level of detail that I didn’t even realize existed in the shot. Bear in mind I’ve seen a cinema version of this film in the old Director’s Cut format and I can assure you that this is order of magnitude from that. All of the FX problems have been corrected: no wires lifting the Spinners, no stunt-woman’s face on the dying Zhora etc. It’s really interesting seeing that contents of Deckard’s apartment for the first time. The clarity of the print reveals objects in his room that I’d not noticed. Some minor dialogue has changed but for the better and only in inconsequential places such as the description of the Nexus-6 team in Bryant’s office. The audio is now 5.1 and much improved. The new version of the film is near perfect. It has been adjusted in such a subtle way that it is really just a superb restoration rather than a major change and yet a lot HAS changed. It’s a tribute to Scott’s team that the casual observer would barely notice.

I’m VERY impressed and delighted.

However, as has been stated by other reviewers there is a 5 disc set easily available from the US, region free and with great extras for little more than this offering. You might want to consider it but be quick because it’s limited(ish).

Review by Stephen Zarczynski for Blade Runner: The Final Cut [Blu-ray] [1982]Rating:
Since seeing the movie on VHS video back in 1984 this has always to my mind been the archetypal sci-fi movie, sure the original had its flaws, mainly the unnecessary voiceover, some visual bloopers and some out of sync dialogue, but when all said and done it was years ahead of its time visually and as yet it is still probably the best movie of its type.

The Directors Cut version of 1992 was a slight improvement but the Final Cut has put everything to rights with the added bonus of being available on HD DVD which I’ve just watched for the first time. HD really makes the film an absolute visual stunner which is pretty amazing for a film made in 1983, the Digitally Remastered standard DVD was good but in HD it’s fabulous and the soundtrack has been tweaked as well. This is a must have HD movie.

Review by R. P. Barnard for Blade Runner: The Final Cut [Blu-ray] [1982]Rating:
For the price amazon uk are charging for this i say that even if its not precisely the same as following its still worth it and recommend any fan of BR to get this version particularly if it does have the much fabled work print which is worth its weight in gold!

The following detail appears on the USA Amazon site for this same set the 5 disc ultimate edition

By calvinnme “Texan refugee” (Fredericksburg, Va)

Disc 1 – Ridley Scott’s All-New “Final Cut” Version of the film – Restored and remastered with added and extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Also included is commentary by Ridley Scott and a host of others that worked behind the camera.

Disc 2 – Documentary – Dangerous Days: Making of Blade Runner – A feature-length documentary about the film including viewpoints and insights from the cast and crew. Included are details on every stage of production of the film including special effects, casting, and even the film’s literary roots and its place in the sci-fi genre.

1982 International Version – Also used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version.

1992 Director’s Cut – Omits Deckard’s voiceover narration and removes the “happy ending” finale. It adds the famous “unicorn” sequence, which is a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he is also a replicant.

Disc 4 – BONUS Disc “Enhancement Archive” – Eight featurettes, image galleries, radio interview with the author, and screen tests for the part of Rachel.

Disc 5 – Workprint Version – This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It has an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no “unicorn” sequence, no Deckard/Rachel “happy ending,” altered lines between Rutger Hauer and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), and alternate music.

Also included is commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner and a featurette – “All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut”.

All of the information on the features comes directly from a press release from Warner Home Video

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